ASHKIRK
Coffee morning
The village hall is the venue for a coffee and cake morning (10am-noon) on May 25 in aid of Ashkirk Church.
Bowden
WRI
Isobel King gave a presentation about Arthritis Research, the UK’s fourth largest charity. Competition – spring posy – 1, Joyce Smith; 2, Pam Boyd; 3, Kathleen Hughes.
Caddonfoot
Church
The Reverend Marion Dodd conducted the sacrament of holy communion on Ascension Sunday in Caddonfoot Church where the lessons were read Roddy Beatson. The kirkin’ of the Braw Lad will be held in Trinity Church, Galashiels, on June 23 and the kirk session has agreed to hold a joint service with both churches at 10.30am that day. There will be no Bible study this week, but the nominating committee to appoint a new minister meets on May 17. A Christian Aid Week joint coffee morning will be held in Trinity Church hall from 10am-noon on May 18. Caddonfoot kirk session meets on May 22 at 7.30pm.
DARNICK
WRI
For the annual afternoon outing, members enjoyed a trip to Dobbies before going on to Peebles Hydro for high tea. The June 13 meeting will feature Mrs Waldie talking and showing pictures of her charity walk in Jordan. Non-members welcome.
Earlston
Church
The May 19 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. The summer newsletter will be
available shortly.
Wednesday Club
Members were last week shown a slide show by Dinah Iredale about “The Forgotten Workers” – bondagers, female farm workers who lived and worked in the south-east of Scotland and north-east of England. Competition – small piece of crystal – 1, Nancy Anderson; 2, Margaret Melrose; 3, Agnes Penman. The summer outing is on May 22. An invitation has been received from Mrs Foyle for the annual visit to Carolside Gardens on June 27. Names of people wishing to go should be given to Sheila McKay (01896 848240) before June 12. This is not exclusively for Wednesday Club members and other village residents will be welcome.
Sale
Earlston Horticultural Society will hold its annual bedding plant sale and coffee morning at Hanover Close, The Square, on May 18. All proceeds go towards supporting the 2013 Earlston Flower Show.
AGM
Earlston Community Council’s AGM is on May 16, starting at 7pm in the primary school.
EDNAM
Sale
Ednam PS is raising funds for reading books with a table-top sale at Ednam village hall on May 18 (10am-1pm). Call Susan (01573 224172) to book a table.
Ettrickbridge
Coffee morning
The next monthly coffee morning and sale in aid of village hall funds will be held on June 1 (10am-noon). Anyone with something to sell is invited to come along, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.
galashiels
Probus
The meeting was chaired by president Sandy Frame and the speaker was the Reverend Alistair Bennett. His topic was the multi-million pound development of the old Church of Scotland guest house in Galilee into the Scots Hotel. The next meeting is on May 23 at 10am.
Church
Galashiels Fellowship of Churches is holding a “Catch the Fire” Pentecost event in the Old Parish and St Paul’s Church on May 19 (4-6pm).
Hawick
Bridge club
President Bob Witherington was in charge of a well-attended AGM and prizegiving on May 6. He presented trophies for play during the winter season – Drumlanrig Cup for Monday night pairs, Patsy Gilligan and Mary Millar; Wednesday night pairs, Patsy Gilligan and Mary Millar; Margaret Burgon Quaich for teams of four, Mike Tuson, Bob Witherington, Sam White and John Urquhart; Silver Jubilee Cup (played after the close of AGM), Mary Millar and John Urquhart. Play continues on Mondays at 6.45pm in the Tower Mill until the end of September. Visiting players welcome. More information is
available from M. Tuson (01450 374614) and www.bridgewebs.com/hawick.
Rotary
At last week’s AGM, the various committee conveners reported on the current year’s work. More than £1,800 had been disbursed to support various local and international causes – Mary’s Meals, £400; district junior golf, £40; primary schools swimming gala medals, £100; high school prize, £25; Margaret Kerr palliative care fund, £400; Polio Plus, £80; Lewis Teckham, £100; Streets Ahead, £100; Border Jumbulance Holiday Group, £250; Friends of the Community Hospital, £280; Breast Cancer Care, £146. After discussion it was decided that, in future, only individual cases of an exceptional nature would receive financial aid, but charity groups would not be affected. Office-bearers for next year – president, Scott Elliot; vice-president, Sandy Bannerman; junior vice-president, Mairhi Trickett; secretary, Iain Smith; treasurer, Bob Kellett. The Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 7 pm in the Buccleuch Hotel – anyone interested in joining is welcome.
Church
The fifth year of Gather in Compassion takes place at Hawick Congregational Community Church on June 11 (9.30am-2.30pm), and the theme is “Believing in Yourself”. The day will be facilitated by health-care practitioner Christina Mark. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend, particularly if they are a volunteer, carer, work within the caring services and would like time out for themselves. A place can be booked or further information obtained by contacting Geraldine Strickland (phone, 01835 830650; email, reachingout7@googlemail) by June 5.
Heriot
Coffee morning
A church coffee morning will be held on May 25 (10.30am-noon) at the MacFie Hall.
Hownam
Towford WRI
John Robertson gave a talk on poisonous plants at the latest meeting. Competition – a flower arrangement – 1, M. Hornsby; 2, D. Tweedie. The whist drive is to be held in Hownam Hall on May 28 at 7.30pm. The next gathering is the summer outing to Woodside Garden Centre on June 4 – meet at 6.30pm.
Innerleithen
Coffee morning
St Ronan’s Ex-Standard Bearers’ Association will hold its annual coffee morning on May 18 in the Vale Club from 10am-noon.
Ball
The St Ronan’s Standard Bearer’s Ball will be held on July 13 in St Ronan’s Marquee. Tickets are on sale on May 18 from 8am at Foresters, Wells Brae.
Concert
St Ronan’s Silver Band will hold a celebration concert on May 24 in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm to mark its Scottish Championship win. Tickets are available from John Adam’s Bakery in Innerleithen or Robb’s KeyStore in Peebles. They can also be ordered by sending a stamped addressed envelope to St Ronan’s Silver Band, 21 Miller Street, Innerleithen EH44 6QR. Cheques should be payable to “St Ronan’s Silver Band”. Phone 01896 831721 or email KJBelleville@aol.com for further information.
Plant sale
Innerleithen Civic Association will hold its annual plant sale on the forecourt of the Memorial Hall on May 25.
Fun day
Innerleithen Family Fun Day will take place on June 2 (1-5pm) in Victoria Park. The tennis club is holding an open afternoon and there will be ClubGolf sessions, a children’s tug-o-war and bowls. After the success of last year’s cricket match, this is to be repeated and will be held from 10am in the Vale Park – for more information contact Tom Harrison (01896 833492). A car boot sale is another attraction and anyone who would like to book a place should call 01896 831721.
Church
There are two services on May 19 – Innerleithen Church (11.30am) and St Ronan’s House (4 pm).
KELSO
Bridge club
May 8 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, John Hayton and Lee Leeson; 2, Rena Stewart and Annie Mitchell; 3, Alex Jeffrey and Jock Dun; E/W – 1, Jean McLaren and Val Fairbairn; 2 (equal), Archie Stewart and Lesley Dick, and John and Marian Miller; May 9 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart and Val Johnstone; 2, Jim Stone and Annie Mitchell; 3, Stuart Graham and Mary Stone; E/W – 1, Elinor Green and Val Fairbairn; 2, John and Marian Miller; 3, Bunty Underwood and Dorreen Vivian.
Rotary
Businessman Derek Cameron described to members the development of his Kelso-based company, Scotmas, during the 15 years he has been designing and installing water treatment projects all over the world. With a workforce of 50, Scotmas also manufactures and sells mosquito nets and repellents.
Plant and book sale
A plant and paperback book sale is being held at the Bowmont Street side of Kelso North Church on May 25 (9am-noon) in aid of church funds.
Embroiderers’ Guild
The next meeting will be held on May 28 in the Abbey Row Centre at 7pm. There will be a short EGM, followed by members showing their “Treasured Textiles”. This can be pieces of work they made, or ones they own.
Langholm
Sponsored walk
The local Macmillan Cancer Support sponsored walk was held on a dry but chilly evening and raised more than £250. It started from the community centre car park and went round the streets of the town, with several members of the group carrying collection buckets. On the walkers’ return, they were served coffee, tea and biscuits in the community centre by Greg Halford and Kate Turk.
Probus club
President Jim Thomson welcomed 27 members to the latest meeting. Business discussed included arrangements for the 30th anniversary lunch which will be held on July 3 in the Eskdale Hotel, following on from the AGM. Vice-president Jack Rae informed everyone of arrangements for the summer trip on August 14 to Ocean Terminal, Leith, and the festival at Edinburgh. The bus will leave the Kilngreen at 8.30am, returning at 7pm. Members of the public who want to go should contact Charlie Edgar (80081) for a ticket. Speaker at the next meeting (May 15) will be Gavin Graham on the Mormons of Utah.
Boys’ night
The annual Castle Craigs boys’ night took place in the Crown Hotel, attended by 28 lads. Castle Craigs club president Andrew Johnstone was in charge of proceedings. There was a drawing competition on a common riding theme for different age groups, quizzes and singing, and the boys tucked into party food. Ex-Cornet Billy Young gave a talk on the Castle Craigs fair crier, a duty which he shares with Ex-Cornet David Pool and carries out every two years. Cornet Andrew Elliot was in attendance, along with Right and Left-Hand men Lee Earsman and Graeme Murray, the last official duty of the present front three prior to the new Cornet being elected. Cornet Elliot made the presentations to the winners. Drawing – under seven years – 1, Danny Hotson; 2, Greg Cartner; 3, Will Donaldson; seven-eight years – 1, Leo Aitken; 2, Eric Goodfellow; 3, Callum Scott; best dressed – 1, Spencer Armstrong; 2, Finn McVittie; 3, Leighton Foster; quiz – 1, Callum Henderson (R. E. Borthwick Shield); 2, Christopher Tait, 3 Bailey Donaldson.
Umbrella walk
The sponsored umbrella walk organised by the Rotary club raised more than £10,000. The walk in March attracted numerous local clubs and organisations, and the money they raised was added to that given by three local trusts – David Stevenson, Arthur Bell, and John and Mary Elliot Memorial. After a percentage deducted for costs, the remainder was presented at the Rotary meeting in the Crown Hotel to the 26 groups, in proportion to what they had raised. During the evening the Rotary community service award was given to Tom Stothart who has been involved in many activities in the town, including golf, rugby and library. The young citizen of the year honour went to David Dickson for his volunteer work with the Scouts, Moorland project and Bonnie Langholm.
Common riding
Farmer Alasdair Cavers was elected Langholm Cornet in Friday’s public vote (see page 22). At the public meeting in the Buccleuch Centre, common riding committee chairman Roger Maxwell was accompanied onto the stage by vice-chairman Tommy Morrison, who was standing in for secretary Kenneth Hill, and treasurer Paul Davidson. Mr Maxwell said the huge crowds last year had showed how much the common riding was valued and they had a cornet of the highest calibre in Andrew Elliot. He also thanked the Right and Left Hand-Men, Lee Earsman and Graeme Murray, for the support they had given. Mr Maxwell also thanked the committee and praised numerous others who had helped make the common riding a success, including officiating magistrate David Stevenson, fair crier Rae Elliot and the bands, landowners, patrons, sponsors and donors.He said Reid and Taylor had sponsored the Cumberland wrestling for numerous years and it was a sad day when the mill closure was announced. Nominations for the committee, which now numbers 30, were announced, and the chairman said they would welcome any others, or even people who could help on the gate for a short time. On behalf of Kenneth Hill, the vice-chairman gave his report and said this year they had a diamond jubilee Cornet in John Paterson, who had been elected in 1952, but due a foot-and-mouth outbreak, things had been curtailed and his father carried the flag, and he carried out the duties the following year. The jubilee Cornet is George Ellwood, and in 1963 there were four candidates and 1,007 votes cast. Dr Beeching was bringing the axe down on the railways, Cliff Richard and The Shadows were playing at Carlisle, the town clock went electric and David Stevenson broke the British pole vault record, jumping 14ft 3in – but being at a Highland Games meeting it was not made official. Andrew Jeffrey is the semi-jubilee Cornet and in 1988 he beat Andrew Johnstone in a close-run contest, with the total vote cast being 1,126. He was presented with the flag by officiating magistrate James Harkness and had a mounted following of 200. The approval was given 25 years ago to upgrade the Academy to S5, and then to S6 a year later. The rugby team won the division three championship that year. The treasurer gave the financial statement which showed less sponsorship, including money not received from ScottishPower, and more expenditure, plus a drop in takings in a number of areas, and finished with a small profit of £464. Questions were raised with regard to the funfair and the high prices charged by the council for the Kilngreen. Mr Morrison has spoken to the show folk and the committee will look into things further.
MELROSE
Plant sale
Melrose Horticultural Association’s annual plant sale is on May 18 in The Wynd from 9am-noon. Proceeds to support Melrose Flower Show which will be held on September 14.
Walks
Ian Skinner led the second of his first-Monday-in-the-month Monastic Walks round the Old Melrose peninsula and was pleased to have 30 people join him. The Thursday Trimontium Walk has emerged from the post-Easter lull and this coming week sees a school from East Lothian and Glenmore Walking Club from Edinburgh visiting.
Coffee morning
A coffee morning will be held in the Corn Exchange on May 18.
Church
Services on May 19 are at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (10am and 11am).
Eildon Singers
The spring concert featuring Britten and Schubert last Sunday drew an audience appreciative of the challenge which the choir, under James Young, had undertaken. The ensemble, under Tony Kyme, and soloists Alison Fraser, Mike Towers and Jim Letham provided support.
MINTO
WRI
President Mary Beck welcomed members to the May meeting. She introduced Daina McFarlane, who has been a Zumba instructor for almost three years and takes two classes each week in Hawick. Daina said Latin-inspired Zumba was started around the year 2000 and demonstrated a variety of dances with several members who volunteered to have a go. Competition – an old postcard – 1, Merle Oddy; 2, Enid Cruickshank; 3, Sheila Marshall; 4, Ann Forrest.
Morebattle
Fly fishing
Morebattle fly-fishing competition will be held on May 17 (6.30-8.30pm), with the draw the previous day in the Templehall Hotel. Names to David Gray.
Coffee morning
The Help for Heroes coffee morning raised nearly £1,000, including a raffle for an Easter egg which brought in £500.
Festival week
An open meeting for Festival Week is being held in the village hall on May 22 at 7.30pm.
Newmill
WRI
Newmill and Teviothead WRI’s open night heard the Teviothead Trekkers talk about their 97-mile West Highland Way walk last summer. As a result, efforts to tackle motor neurone disease and Macmillan Cancer Support were boosted by more than £6,500. Competitions – visitors – Scottish souvenir – Jean Umpherston (Appletreehall); Gypsy Creams (which go forward to the spring rally heat) – Muriel Baptie (who also won the hikers’ sandwich). Scottish souvenir – members – 1, Sheila McLaren; 2, Roberta Macmillan; 3, Dorothy Grierson. Anyone wishing to go to Cragside on June 15 should contact Gill.
OXNAM
Library cafe
The next cafe is on May 22 (11am).
Oxnam Owls
Barbara Mellor of Yetholm last week spoke about her translation of the book Resistance, by Agnes Humbert, who pioneered a “cell” in Paris for like-minded women who wanted to do resistance work. She also talked about the author’s time in concentration camps. The next Owls meeting is on June 4 at 7.15pm when Hawick group Quintessence will entertain. This will be an open event with supper and a raffle in aid of the Borders Children’s Charity. Tickets are available from Dot Heard (01896 755690).
Oxnam Quilters
Oxnam Quilters held their biennial quilt exhibition over the May Day bank holiday weekend, attracting 357 visitors. The first prize in the raffle, a quilt made by members of the group, was won by Elaine Miller of Hawick. The “visitors’ choice” of quilt was won by Annette Fraser for her Great Dane Quilt. As a result of the event, the Quilters are donating £500 each to the Margaret Kerr unit at Borders General Hospital and the Linus charity, which makes and provides quilts for sick and deprived children.
OXTON
Plant sale
The annual plant sale and coffee morning staged by Oxton Horticultural Society will be held on May 18 (10am-noon) at the Memorial Hall.
SELKIRK
AGM
Selkirk Chamber of Trade’s AGM will be held in the County Hotel on May 23 at 6pm.
Stichill
WRI
Kathy Wilkie welcomed members and visitors from Broomlands, Earlston, Eckford, Greenlaw, Heiton, Makerstoun, Mellerstain, Morebattle and Yetholm to the May meeting. She then introduced Cathy Burns from the Sainsbury’s Try Team, who gave a cookery demonstration with a barbecue and picnic theme. Her audience was able to sample the food. The raffle was drawn and supper served. On behalf of the visitors, Helen Cessford (Morebattle) expressed her thanks to host members for the evening. Competition – pretty paper plate – visitors – 1, Christine Tucker (Eckford); 2, Helen Donald (Mellerstain); 3, Isabel Cockburn (Yetholm); members – 1, Janette Mackie; 2, June Brown; 3, Kathy Wilkie. Gypsy Creams – 1, Kathy Wilkie; 2, June Brown; 3, Brenda Waring. The next meeting will be held on June 4 at the earlier time of 7pm.
Traquair
Service
The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on May 26 at 10am.
Walkerburn
Service
The May 19 service starts at 10am in Walkerburn Public Hall.
Yetholm
Bari Manushi
This year’s Bari Manushi, former Yetholm and Kelso High school pupil Stephanie Cockburn, 22, lives near Brighton. She said of her appointment: “It’s an honour. It was unexpected. It’s really good and I’m looking forward to meeting new people . I’m also looking forward to the Stob Stanes rideout because I have taken part in it before and it will be nice to lead it.” Proud parents are self-employed painter and decorator Alistair Cockburn and Alison, hospital management personal assistant with NHS Borders.
WRI
Sarah Emmerson gave a talk on The Project Trust at the latest meeting. The next gathering is a guest night to be held at 7.30pm on May 21 in the Wauchope Hall. The speaker will be Dinah Iredale on The Bondagers system. Competition – fridge magnet.
AGM
At the conclusion of the Wauchope Hall AGM, thanks were given to representatives attending from the organisers of village lunches and film nights. They had given reports on their activities over the year and made donations to hall funds. Chairman Jim Cockburn thanked Susan Stewart, Liz Leitch, Moira Breeze, Dot Lee and also the volunteer hall cleaners.
Flodden
For the final meeting of the current season, Yetholm Historical and Archaeological Society made an outing to Flodden Field which lies only some six miles from Yetholm. Author and historian Clive Hallam-Baker, who lives in the nearby village of Branxton and is a leading figure in the Remembering Flodden Project, led a walking tour of the historic site and gave a talk about the battle fought on September 9, 1513. He also showed his collection of replica weapons.
Festival Week
The Festival Week official programme went on sale at the installation night ceremony. Copies can be purchased at the village shop and other village outlets.
Dance
The local church is organising a dance to be held on June 21 in Springwood Hall, Kelso. Music will be provided by the Yoohoo Ceilidh Band. Tickets can be had from the village shop or any church official.